Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Diriyah, continuing a growing trend of Senegalese internationals moving to Saudi Arabia.
The 36-year-old, who was a free agent after leaving English club Everton, has signed a one-year contract with Al-Diriyah, with an option to extend the agreement for another season.
Gueye’s move was confirmed on Sunday, 10 August 2026, and makes him the latest experienced Senegal international to join the Saudi league.
The former Everton midfielder arrives at a club that has recently secured promotion to the Saudi top flight and is preparing to compete against established sides including Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli.
Gueye will also become the latest Senegalese player to join Al-Diriyah, linking up with young winger Clayton Silverio Diandy.
Diandy, 19, played an important role in Al-Diriyah’s promotion and has now made his move to the club permanent from Aris Thessaloniki for a fee of just under €5m.
The Senegalese youngster scored seven goals and registered seven assists last season after coming through the youth ranks at Guédiawaye.
His performances helped establish him as an important member of the promoted side and he will now have the opportunity to play alongside one of Senegal’s most experienced international players.
Gueye’s arrival is another indication of the Saudi Pro League’s continued interest in Senegalese footballers.
The league began attracting several prominent Senegal internationals three years ago, when players including Sadio Mané, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly moved to Saudi Arabia.
That recruitment has continued during the current transfer window, with several more members of Senegal’s national team making the move.
Abha FC recently signed central defender Abdou Diallo, while Abdoulaye Seck joined Al-Faisaly. Both defenders are established members of the Senegal national team and were part of the country’s African championship-winning side.
Other Senegalese players have also made moves within the Saudi league. Malang Sarr has joined NEOM Sports Club, while midfielder Dion Lopy has signed for Al-Ittihad.
Gueye’s transfer adds further experience to that growing group and gives newly promoted Al-Diriyah a player with considerable international pedigree.
The midfielder is the most-capped player in the history of the Senegal national team, making his arrival particularly significant for a club preparing for its first challenge among Saudi Arabia’s top-flight sides.
Al-Diriyah, based at the Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Stadium, is seeking to build a squad capable of competing with the country’s leading clubs after earning promotion.
The signing of Gueye therefore provides the club with an experienced midfielder while also strengthening the Senegalese presence within its squad.
For Gueye, the move represents a new chapter after his decision not to renew his contract with Everton.
He now joins Al-Diriyah on a deal that could keep him at the club for up to two seasons, subject to the option in his contract.
His arrival means Diandy will no longer be the only Senegalese player at Al-Diriyah, while the wider Saudi Pro League continues to increase its recruitment of players from Senegal.
With established internationals such as Gueye, Diallo and Seck now joining a league that already contains prominent Senegalese stars, the latest moves underline the continued appeal of Saudi Arabia to players from the African champions.
